Gallup Poll: American Generations Sharply Divided on Sexual Attitudes

When the attitudes regarding sexual matters of 18-34 years olds are compared to those aged 55 and older, significant generational differences become apparent. A new Gallup Poll on the moral acceptability of matters like premarital sex, gay relationships, and pornography is showing a significant divide. Major poll findings include:

Premarital sex met with the approval of 71% of the 18-34 year olds, but only 47% of the older generation.

Gay and lesbian relationships and lifestyles were deemed moral by 66% of the 18-34 year-olds surveyed, while winning the approval of just 53% of the 55+ group. These statistics affirm an earlier Gallup finding that more than half of all Americans (53%) believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid.

On the acceptability of pornography, 42% of those in the 18-34 age group voiced approval as compared to just 19% of those in the older group.

ACA Plays Integral Role in Revamping HHS Title X Program

In the first comprehensive review in the 20-year history of Title X, the federal program providing comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), asked ACA to provide an evidence-based model for integrating counseling into the agency program. On May 10, at the Contraceptive Counseling and Education Technical Panel meeting in Atlanta, David Kaplan, ACA Chief Professional Officer, presented a social learning theory-based counseling model that could be used by Title X counseling

The model was well-received and HHS officials indicated that they see using the model (with ACA's continued assistance) in the new iteration of Title X. The agency also indicated that they hope to identify funding that would involve ACA in providing training to Title X counselors after the program has been revised. Watch ACAeNews for updates on the counseling dimension of Title X..

A national survey has revealed that parents are finding primary care physicians lacking in their knowledge about mental health issues and in their desire to address the subject. Surveying 554 parents and caregivers, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 42% of participants do not think physicians give them enough time to answer their questions and discuss their concerns. Families further stated that primary care offices often lack a comprehensive referral system, specifically mentioning mental health counselors and therapists among the professionals they would like to see included on the referral lists.

Deadline for ACA 2012 Conference Proposals is Tomorrow

Final call! June 8 at 5:00pm ET is the deadline for submission of ACA Conference & Exposition proposals for 2012.

Members wishing to have Pre-conference Learning Institute or Education Sessions proposals considered for the San Francisco event, March 21-25, 2012, must complete the electronic forms here.

Counseling and Psychology Majors Earn Lowest Median Earnings

"The more you learn—the more you earn" has long been a position supported by U.S. Census Bureau statistics on educational attainment and earnings, but not it seems for those studying counseling and psychology. According to an analysis of Census data by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, counseling/psychology majors come in on the low end of the earnings schedule for degree earners. There is some evidence that counselors working in student service and educational settings may fare a bit better as Education majors avoided the lowest earnings category.

Using data on 171 college majors, "What's It Worth?: The Economic Value of College Majors" found Counseling/Psychology majors in the 10 lowest median earnings category along with Early Childhood Education, Theology and Religious Vocations, Human Services and Community Organizations, Social Work, and number of other study areas.

The full report provides earnings information for majors in 15 general work clusters and breaks out information on the relationship of race/ethnicity and gender differences in earnings.

ARC Calls for Counseling Assistance in Missouri, Other Areas

The American Red Cross has asked ACA to assist in the continued recruitment of members from across the U.S. to help support disaster mental health operations in a number of Midwestern and Southern states that were affected by recent tornadoes, including the hardest hit community—Joplin, MO. Professional counselors who are licensed at the independent practice level or by their state as a school counselor can volunteer for 10 days to 3 weeks of service to victims of these disasters. Additional ARC information and contact details are available here.

ACA Public Policy Conference Call June 9

Members interested in public policy and advocacy issues will want to participate in a conference call to be hosted by ACA public policy staff on Thursday, June 9 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET. Don't miss this opportunity to catch up on the status of policy issues before the federal government and matters that are being addressed by ACA staff members. A portion of the hour will be open to Q&A from callers.

To participate, call 866-220-0969 (toll free) and enter *1603550* as the meeting number. To mute/unmute your line during the call, hit*6. Pre-call questions can be directed to Christie Lum at 1-800-347-6647, x354 or clum@counseling.org.

Centore Assumes Role as ACA Private Practice Consultant

Anthony Centore, popular ACA blogger (http://my.counseling.org/) on private practice issues, has assumed the role of ACA private practice consultant and writer of Private Practice Pointers. Asked his perspective on the role of counselors in private practice and the challenges they face, he stated: "To succeed in today's marketplace, counseling practices need to be warm, positive places where value is delivered in every appointment and customer service is paramount to great client care."

ACA Heard in National Media Outlets on Professional Matters

The profession of counseling and ACA received national media attention this spring on venues ranging from the front page of the New York Times (May 21 edition) to National Public Radio (NPR). The Times article addressed the decline in the number of men in the mental health professions and cited ACA, APA and other professional group membership statistics in stating the case. NPR cited ACA as a source for the identification of professional counselors in a May 16 segment. Other media outlets ACA has worked with recently include WebMD on teen dating, the Contra Costa Times crisis teams going to schools and USA Today magazine on the effects of unemployment on men.

Online Gambling: Global Addiction Rate Growing

ScienceDaily.com reported recently on a study by a Canadian researcher that suggests Internet access to gambling websites has resulted in a global addiction problem that dwarfs casino gambling addiction in severity. But the problem doesn't just end there as gambling addiction is often accompanied by other mental health disorders. Pathological gamblers are at increased risk for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and mood disorder.

New ACA Podcast Examines the Life of Gay Mental Health Professional

Loren A. Olsen, M.D., a gay psychiatrist and author, came out at the age of 40. Honored for his career work by the American Psychiatric Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Dr. Olson speaks openly in a new ACA Podcast about being a father and grandfather, why hating a homophobic culture is counterproductive, and a number of related LGBT matters that he has experienced both personally and professionally.

The "Living Straight: Coming Out After 40" Podcast is one of 25 programs available free for the professional development of ACA members, programs that can be applied toward licensure and certificate maintenance requirements. Running time: 50:47 minutes.

ACA divisions, branches, and regions are valuable sources of learning and professional development. Information on events will be posted approximately 8-10 weeks prior. This information is made available to ACAeNews via the ACA master calendar and the various organization web sites. Send calendar items to dbrown@counseling.org. Please provide the sponsor, dates, theme, site, and contact person information. Information posted here is restricted to that sponsored by ACA divisions, branches, regions and related organizations.

About ACAeNews

ACAeNews is published 24 times annually by the American Counseling Association for the benefit of members across the counseling profession. Any reference to a product, service, activity or listing of a website in ACAeNews does not imply endorsement by ACA. Any views and opinions are those of the sponsoring organization and may or may not be shared by ACA. Past editions can be found here (login required).

Direct comments, questions, and submissions to fburtnett@counseling.org. All submissions will be subject to review by ACA for accuracy, timeliness and relevance to the readership and may be edited to meet space parameters.

Copyright 2011, American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone: 703/823-9800. Email: fburtnett@counseling.org. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce anything contained in this newsletter as long as the American Counseling Association is identified as the original source of the information.